drain

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it
  2. noun tube inserted into a body cavity (as during surgery) to remove unwanted material
  3. noun a pipe through which liquid is carried away

Etymology

From Middle English *dreinen, from Old English drēahnian, from Proto-West Germanic *drauhnōn, from Proto-Germanic *drauhnōną, from Proto-Germanic *draugiz. Akin to Old English drūgian (“to dry up”), Old English drūgaþ (“dryness, drought”), Old English drȳġe (“dry”). More at dry.

In classic literature

Synonyms

drainage

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